Great way to Communicate

t e l e k o m m u n i s t e n is a hosted voice over IP phone service that is worker-run that uses profits to fund international aid and development efforts. This is such a good idea!

From their website:

Worker Owned and Operated

telekommunisten is controlled by it’s workers and committed to staying that way, we believe we can serve our customers best and at the lowest cost by remaining focused on meeting the needs of our employees and customers, not on profits for outside shareholders. Being worker-owned means that all the money you spend on our products goes directly to the maintenance and improvement of the service you receive.

Dedicated to International Development and Aid

The founders of telekommunisten are committed activists and have contributed to numerous projects in North America, Europe and Africa, from setting up Independant media convergence spaces in Canada and working with refugees and migrants in Europe, to co-ordinating relief efforts in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. When you employ telekommunisten, you support our work.

Weed Fights Cancer

A new gel tested on skin cancer have shown promising results, and the groovy thing is that it is made from a common garden weed. The gel has made the fastest, and the greatest, change in skin cancer when compared to other topical gels after only two applications.

“Initial trials show just two applications of the PEP005 Topical gel on two consecutive days cleared up 71 per cent of basal cell carcinomas, or BCCs, the most common type of skin cancer.”

Special Shoes for Landmines

Some scientists have invented a robotic shoe that has six legs. Anyone wearing the shoes can walk safely through a minefield. The shoe is designed to help works in humanitarian missions – particularly land-mine clearers.

“The six-legged shoes protect the wearer by lifting up a leg if it is over a mine so that the device is not triggered. The other five legs continue to support the wearer’s weight.”

Economist 2006 Report on e-readiness

The Economist Intelligence Unit has relased their 2006 e-readiness rankings and e-things are looking up according to the EIU!

“With over 1bn Internet users and 2bn mobile-phone users worldwide, and continual progress in most qualitative indicators of technology-related development, the world in early 2006 may be proclaimed ever more “e-ready”. This year’s e-readiness rankings reflect such progress, as all but two countries have improved their scores from the previous year. Most of the rankings’ top players have moved upwards in lock step, and there has been little real movement in the broader ranks from 2005 to 2006 (although the addition of three new countries this year has pushed some down the list).”